Friday, March 2, 2012

For years I have been thinking that I needed to get a medical ID card, but for years I have been putting it off. We all know how complex our medical conditions can be, especially those of us with dysautonomia, so it makes sense to have an emergency medical card in our wallets to identify our problems, drugs, and doctors. My Dad recently found a website that will create a printable id card from information that you enter into their system. The site says that they do not save or use any of the information that is entered on their site. The card lists your emergency contacts, doctors, medications, illnesses, and any allergies you have. You can print it out to a wallet size (front and back have info) and then laminate it for keeping in your wallet. It is also a convenient way to save space on your medical ID bracelet, since you can write “see card in wallet” for extra information. Pretty cool, huh?

This is just the first site that I have come across, so if anyone has other sites they have used, please post them in the comments so everyone can have options.

There are many more options other than medical card. Medical card kept in wallet can be lost or even spoiled. Its better to have 2-3 alternatives along with medical card. Medical id tag attached to your bag is a handy option which provides the same information as medical card.

Why am I doing this?

I have been severely ill for 8 years. I was an active, healthy 26 year old emergency veterinarian loving life and my job. Everything crashed to a halt after a cat bite landed me in the hospital for a few days on IV antibiotics. Severe dizziness, fatigue, pain, and fainting were soon to follow. I had to take medical leave 3 months after I first became ill and was never able to work again.

It took more than 30 doctors, 2 years, and a trip to the Mayo clinic in Minnesota to finally get diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or "POTS", a type of dysautonomia. I am still severely disabled, but fighting tooth and nail to get better every day. I want this blog to be a resource for others who have chronic "mystery" diagnoses or other chronic disorders that need help organizing their life again.

Bear with me on this blog because I am ill and will not be able to post as regularly as a "normal" person can!